Drive-chain.



No. 650,591. Patented May 29, I900. F. W. SCHROEDEB.

DRIVE CHAIN. (Application filed Aug. 18, 1899.) (No Model.)

wi/tnesses Ifivenior Jig z 2 F377. JW ,5, fl, VfluW Maw Nonms FEIERS 00., PHOTO-LUNG WASNINGTCIN o c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK IV. SCI'IROEDER, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO PATRICK WILLIAM MORAN, OF SAME PLACE.

DRIVE-CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 650,591, dated May 29, 1900.

Application filed August 18, 1899. Serial No. 727,723. (No model.)

' SCHROEDER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at No. 30 Maiden Lane, Strand, London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drive- Chains, (for which application for a patent in Great Britain has been made, dated June 7,

1899, No. 11,824,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved construction of chain and chain-wheel-driving gear, whereby, on the one hand, the frictional wear of the chain in working on the chainwheel is in great measure prevented, and, on the other hand, the construction of the chain is such that defective links can be readily removed and replaced by new ones. For these purposes instead of making the transverse pins that connect the side links of the chain of cylindrical form I make them, with the part between the links, of spherical form, and I make the teeth of the chain-wheel with corresponding concave surfaces where the spherical pins work over them. By this means the chain is maintained in a perfectly-central position when passing over the wheel, and consequently all lateral shiftin g and frictional contact between the links and the side surfaces of the teeth is prevented. I will describe the construction of the chain with the said spherical pins with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows aplan of one of the spherical pins detached. Fig. 2 shows a part-sectional plan of the same connected with a second pin by two side cheeks to form a link. Fig. 3

shows a plan of the link combined with connecting-plates by means of connecting-pins. Figs. 4 and 5 show a plan and an end View of one of the connecting-pins. Fig. 6 shows a side View of the links, and Fig. 7 shows the links in the position necessary for enabling them to be separated.

In the construction shown at Figs. 1 to 6 the pins are formed with a spherical middle part a and cylindrical ends I), and they have a cylindrical hole 0 formed through them. Onto the cylindrical ends I) are fitted loosely the side cheeks (I, so that the pins can revolve in them, and through the holes 0 are passed cylindrical pins with notched ends 6, with which engage the slotted connectinglinks f, that serve to connect the links, with spherical pins, together. These connectinglinks f and the notched pins 6 are constructed in aknown manner, not forming part of this invention-that is to say, the middle of the slot of f is made sufficiently wide for the pin to pass through, while the narrower ends of the link are adapted to fit the notches of the ends of pins e, so that when these have been slid intothe end position they are securely held by the connecting-links f.

It will be seen that the parts are so pro portioned that when the links are in the extended position, as at Fig. 6, the pins 6, with their spherical pins a, cannot move inward a sufficient distance to enable them to assume the middle position in the enlarged slot and that consequently no accidental detachment of the pins e and connecting-links f can take place in working. It is only when the two adjacent link portions a d e are turned into a position at right angles to the connectinglinks f, as shown at Fig. 7, that first one of the link portions a cl 6 can be moved into the middle position, (shown in dotted lines,) .so that the pin e can be drawn out, and consequently the parts a, d detached from f, after which the second link can be removed in the same manner. Thus while the chain constructed as above described has its links efiectually secured together while in the working position the parts can be readily separated when the links are brought into the position at Fig. 7, and a defective link can then be replaced by a new one.

Having thus described the nature of this invention and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical effect, I claim In a driving-chain, the combination of tubular pins, each having a spherical surface a on its middle part, and cylindrical ends 1), side cheeks d having holes arranged to receive said cylindrical ends, solid pins 6 with notched ends passing through the tubular pins, and connecting-links f having slots with narrowed ends arranged to fit the notches of the pins e; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK WV. SCI'IROEDER.

\Vitnesses:

FRED. O. DAVIS, GERALD L. SMITH. 

